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Thursday, 3 March 2011

We are roughly halfway through our series of Meet & Greet rides. Thanks to the support of the local clubs, and sponsors Mulebar, the rides have proven popular. Judging by the comments, these outings have gone down well with London women cyclists.

Solveig Findley, Twickenham CC“I went on the London Dynamo Meet & Greet ride and found it good fun. They were a really nice pace to ride and chat, and to meet new people - very informal. More of the same I say!”

Barbie Chan, Serpentine Running Club“My focus has always been on running but since I’ve committed to entering a few triathlons in the Summer, bike training has become necessary. I've always cycled for fun and would consider cycling as 'easy'. However, after being out on group rides several times and being badly defeated by the Chilterns Hills, I realised I was super un-bike fit and figured I needed to work on my confidence and bike handling skills. Joining a relaxed, non-competitive, but nonetheless experienced riding group seemed the way to go, and the women's ride fit the bill perfectly!

I joined Kingston Wheelers for a 4-hr ride to Surrey about a month ago and had enjoyed it. Everyone from the group was friendly and supportive. They were extremely generous with what they know about cycling and I felt completely at ease riding with them despite being the least experienced and slowest rider in the group. I'd be interested in joining more club rides and if able, club racing in the near future to keep my motivation high. Thank you!”

Caroline Oates“I had a great time on the Dulwich Paragon ride. I had previously done a reasonable amount of cycling - initially triathlons and quite a few cyclosportives last year, but never with a club. The mix of levels was ideal as it meant you could pick the pace that suited, and I was relieved that no-one was left behind. Everyone was really friendly and very welcoming and I’ve already been back to join the Dulwich Paragon Saturday Club rides on a couple of occasions and will be joining the club.”

Nicole Oh, Pearson CC“I enjoyed both the Meet & Greet rides I went on very much (Dulwich Paragon and London Dynamo). The pace has been good - sociable enough to be able to have a good chat to the other girls, but if you wanted a harder workout you could just push it up the hills or ride up the front. It’s definitely suitable for beginners and those who don't belong to a club, as there are plenty of club members trying to recruit riders to their own! Also it’s good to meet some other novice racers who share the same trepidations as you do, ie the bottom corner on the Crystal Palace circuit! And finally, whilst I do like the boys, it's sometimes nice to get out on bikes without any of them!”

Meet and Greet rides are open to sporty women of all profiles – from keen cyclists to rowers and triathletes with or without a club.

Come and join other women cyclists on the rides hosted by clubs in different parts of London and the South East, where you can find out more about women’s cycling from experienced club cyclists.

Latest: Trains will not be stopping at Potters Bar. Trains will still be going to Hertford North. Those planning on meeting at Potters Bar should get there by alternative means of transport rather than by train.

Saturday 12th March - Surrey ride with Addiscombe CC- meet at Coulsdon South train station at 9am [regular service to/from London Bridge]- depart at 9.15am for a 35 mile ride through the Surrey lanes, returning to Croydon- cafe stop at Charlwood Pineshop Cafe and additional (optional) stop at Nonna Rosa's Cafe, Coulsdon- terrain is flat/gently undulating - pace is 14mph

Sunday 20th March - Richmond Park training ride with Pearson CC- meet at 8.15am for an 8.30am start at Pavilion Cafe, Priory Lane, Richmond Park just inside Roehampton Gate- it will be a basic racing skills session for girls who are new to racing or just want to practice their racing skills (more detailed info to come)- the session will consist of laps of Richmond Park (undulating 7-mile loops) and will last 1.5hrs, followed by coffee stop at the cafe.